VASTox plc
18 May 2006

                     VASTOX APPOINTS PROFESSOR GEORGE FLEET

                      AS CARBOHYDRATE CHEMISTRY CONSULTANT



Oxford, UK, 18 May 2006 - VASTox (AIM: VOX) today announces the appointment of
Professor George Fleet as specialist consultant for the Company's growing
carbohydrate chemistry business.



Professor George Fleet, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, is widely
acknowledged as one of the world's foremost experts on carbohydrate chemistry.
He has published over 400 academic papers and has consulted for many of the
leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.



Professor Fleet will work with VASTox to provide technical input into both the
Company's drug development programmes and growing services business.



Richard Storer, DPhil, Chief Scientific Officer said: "I have worked closely
with George for over 25 years in my time at GSK, BioChem Pharma and Idenix.  He
has always made a valuable contribution to programmes in this complex field of
chemistry and brings a depth of knowledge and understanding which is without
parallel.  I am looking forward to his input both into our in-house programmes
and work for VASTox clients."



Steven Lee, PhD, Chief Executive Officer said: "With the recent recruitment of
Richard Storer and now the engagement of Professor Fleet, I believe we have one
of the best carbohydrate chemistry teams in the industry.  Professor Fleet's
links and experience within the pharmaceutical industry will be a real asset as
we increase our services activities."





                                    - ends -



For more information please contact:


VASTox
Steven Lee, PhD, Chief Executive Officer                 Tel: +44(0) 1235 443910
Darren Millington, Chief Financial Officer

Citigate Dewe Rogerson
David Dible / Mark Swallow / Valerie Auffray            Tel: +44 (0)207 638 9571


About VASTox plc



VASTox is a chemical genomics technology company that discovers and develops
proprietary novel drugs and provides services to the pharmaceutical industry.
The company's most advanced drug development programme is focused on developing
a new treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy based on the up-regulation of
utrophin. A second drug development programme for Spinal Muscular Atrophy is
also progressing rapidly. VASTox has three additional programmes focused on
osteoarthritis, cancer and tuberculosis that are expected to be out-licensed
prior to entering the clinic.



The company's technology platform, which uses zebrafish and fruitflies, has the
potential to dramatically decrease the time and cost of drug discovery and
development. This is because using whole organisms allows it to carry out high
volume, high content screening that delivers data which is highly predictive of
the efficacy and toxicity of potential drug compounds in humans. VASTox is
growing revenues based on marketing its unique technology platform and its
chemistry expertise.



VASTox was formed in January 2003 from the University of Oxford, by some of the
UK's foremost scientists who have taken a highly creative approach to the
problems involved in drug discovery and who have a proven record in delivering
technological excellence. The company listed on the AIM market of the London
Stock Exchange in October 2004.



Further information about the company may be accessed at the VASTox website:



www.vastox.com



This document contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements can be identified by words such as "anticipates", "intends", "plans",
"seeks", "believes", "estimates", "expects" and similar references to future
periods, or by the inclusion of forecasts or projections.



Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and
assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions.
Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they
are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that
are difficult to predict. The Company's actual results may differ materially
from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions
you therefore that you should not rely on any of these forward-looking
statements as statements of historical fact or as guarantees or assurances of
future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements include (factors
included in this presentation) and regional, national, global political,
economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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